Planning For The Future

I’ve had a lot of conversations on the doorstep recently about planning, and I completely understand why people care so much about it.

Planning affects where homes are built, roads, infrastructure, landscapes, local services and the places people care about. Decisions made today can change communities for generations.

I’ve spent six years on the Board of Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners dealing with local planning issues and seeing first-hand how planning decisions affect people’s lives.

As far back as 2014 I raised concerns about planning by presenting a Petition for Redress to Tynwald, and giving evidence to the Select Committee on Planning and Building Control that followed.

5 years ago, I joined protestors about the Elm Trees at St Marks; and I have continued to speak up at planning inquiries when I see injustice.

My involvement in these issues didn’t start because there is an election coming.

When residents were affected by the decision to site the proposed onshore windfarm in the southern hills, I established a support group for residents of Earystane and the surrounding areas so local people had a voice.

I also helped establish the campaign group Cair Vie Resistance; that wasn’t simply about one proposal - it is about protecting our uplands and recognising that these landscapes face wider pressures and threats.

I’ve followed closely the issues around the ‘One Government Estate’ and I’ve studied the various policy documents and numerous Government consultations over recent years. I’ve continued to highlight my concerns that parts of the commons that were historically set aside for the benefit of the people of the Isle of Man are being eroded.

The next administration will be involved in the scrutiny of the next island wide Strategic Plan. We are already seeing draft landscape plans and other emerging policies that will feed into it. Local housing needs, schools, road infrastructure- all of these things connect together.

This is why I believe people need to look beyond election promises and ask who has actually been across these issues for years, who has put the work in, who is prepared to stand up for what is right and fight for the interests of people of the Isle of Man.

My record is there for people to judge.